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Jayson Werth to serve five days in jail over reckless driving charge

Nationals outfielder Jayson Werth will serve five days in jail following a guilty plea to a reckless driving charge.
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Washington Nationals outfielder Jayson Werth will serve five days in jail following a guilty plea on Thursday to a reckless driving charge, according to reports.

Werth was found guilty of the charge in December after being pulled over in Fairfax County, Virginia in July for driving 105 mph in a 55 mph-zone on an I-495 on-ramp.

He appealed the conviction to Fairfax County Circuit Court prior to the plea deal.

According to a report from The Washington Post, Werth also faces a 30-day suspension of his driver's license.

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He will serve the five-day sentence on weekends to accommodate his shoulder rehabilitation and preseason training, the report says.

The Nationals released a statement on the matter. From the Post:

“We are aware of the agreement reached today," the statement reads. "It is clear that Jayson has taken this matter seriously and with great personal reflection. We do not condone reckless behavior, and we expect all members of the Washington Nationals organization to act in a responsible manner. We support Jayson, who is an integral part of the community and of the Washington Nationals family.”

Werth is entering his fifth season with the Nationals and 13th season overall. Over 147 games in 2014, he batted .292 with 16 home runs and 82 RBI.

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The 35-year-old right fielder is under contract with Washington through 2017 after signing a seven-year, $126 million contract prior to the 2011 season.

The Nationals went 96-66 and finished in first place in the National League East last season before falling to the San Francisco Giants in the NLDS.

- Chris Johnson